Motion transmitting means



Jan. 30, 1940. R LE 2,188,510

. MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS Filed June 1, 1937 Patented Jan. 30, 1940 al as n- 2,188,510 MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS Robert Lapsley, Berrien Springs, Mich., assignor to Clark Equipment Company, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Buchanan,

Application June 1, 1937, Serial No. 145,701

. I Claims. This invention relates to transmission supporting means, and more particularly is directed to' "mission and the transmission itself, such as com monly employed in connection with motor vehicles ofthe type in which the transmission is 'mou'nted'iadjacent the rear end of the vehicle,

while the shifting mechanism therefor is disposed near theforward end of the vehicle in the .drivers compartment, or in assemblies commonly known as the cab-over-engine type trucks and thelike.

In the. development of. automotive vehicles, and

more particularly in connection with trucks and bus'ses', a'considerable problem has been introduced with the advent of the cab-oVer-engine type 'of'body construction, as well as with the introduction of rear engine mounted assemblies in which the transmission or change-speed mechanism is disposed adjacent the rear driving axle. It is to be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to constructions in which a multi-speed axle is employed, and suitable shifting mechanism mustbe provided for control by the operator at a point removed from the speedc'hanging'mechanism. This remote control type of transmission mechanism is disclosed generally in my copending application, Serial No. 20,803, filed Ma :10, 1935;

" I have found that one of the problems involved in the use of a mechanism in which the shifting operation is accomplished at a point remote from the transmission, resides in the proper support of the connecting member through which the shifting motion is transmitted from the shifting mechanism to the transmission. It is essential in such constructions to provide a support which .will carry the weight of the motion transmitting member which may be of relatively great length, and which, at the same time, will so support it that it is free for boththe limited rotative and longitudinal movement necessary to effect selective change of speed through the transmission. Such motion-transmitting members are preferably formed of. tubular shafting or the like, which is swung laterally and upwardly at the gear shift end whereby it is rotated to a limited extent about its longitudinal axis to effect selection of the particular shifter rod desired, and which must then ,be moved. longitudinally to actuate the shifter rod for shifting the gears in the transmission. At the same time, due to the lateral swinging of the member, and also the twisting stresses imposed upon the vehicle frame, the support must be of a more or less universal character sothat the twisting'of the frame will not affect positive and accurate control of the shifting mechanism. It is therefore a primary object of the present *5: invention to provide a'transmission supporting means which will support the motion transmitting member in such manner that positive, and controlled rotative and longitudinal movement can'be transmited through the member independently of angular stresses which may be imposed'the'reondue to the transverse swinging of the gear shift lever and the distortion of the frame of the vehicle between the shifting mech-. anism' and the transmission.

Another objectof the present invention is to provide coupling means operating in conjunction with the supporting mechanism to insure that the motion transmitting member will be properly coupled to effect the proper selection and move- 2b *ment of the shifter rods in the transmission.

Still another feature of the invention resides in a support which can be properly lubricated, andwhich has resilient means for holding the motion transmitting member against vibration or relative displacement caused by forces other than the operation of the shifting mechanism. 7

Another advantage accruing from the present construction is the provision of a. simplified form of support which can be readily attached to and so detached from any rigid structural member of theirame or chassis of the vehicle, and which is of simple and compact form requiring relatively few parts, and which may be readily assembled and installed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be, apparent from the following detailed'description which will disclose to those skilled in the'art, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, a preferred form of the presen invention and its manner of operation. a

In the drawing: I ,1 I

Figure l. is a diagrammatic view showing the application of'the present invention to a remote control transmission; I

Figure 2 .is a top plan view of the supporting means;

- FigureB is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3+3 of Figure 2; and;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantiall on line 4- of Figure 3, and also showing the coupling of the motion transmitting member to the selecting member.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, I have shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure'l a gear shift member 5 supported on a suitable bracket member 6 which may be bolted to the fioor board of the vehicle, or supported in any other suitable manner, and which is connected at its lower end below its universal pivotal support 7 tea yoke member 8 coupled to the forward end of the motion transmitting member 9.

The member 9 extends through the supporting means indicated generally at 19 and its opposite end is connectedthrough the coupling indicated generally at l2 to a suitable selecting memberl3 which, in turn, is connected in any suitable manner to the shifter rod actuating mechanism 14. This latter connection may be as described in my above-mentioned copending application. The supporting means I9 is preferably mounted on a rigid frame member l5 such as the side frame channel, cross channel, or a similar rigid part of the chassis located adjacent the rear end of the member 9. Thus, shifting movement of the member 5 imparts corresponding rotative and longitudinal movement to the member 9 which, through the coupling means l2, transmits this movement to the member l3 where it is in turn transmitted to the shifter rod selecting mechanism I4 for initially engaging a predetermined shifter rod, and subsequently moving this rod to efiect corresponding movement of the selected gears.

Considering now in detail the supporting means l9,'this comprises a bracket 20 of angular shape having a top surface provided with suitable boss portions 22 whereby it may be bolted to the flange of a channel or cross frame member such as the member 15, or secured in any other suitable manner to a rigid portion of the frame structure of the vehicle. The member 20 has a portion 23 extending at right angles thereto, which is provided with a suitable boss for receiving the retaining member 24 which is secured thereto by the bolts 25. Any desired shape of bracket may be provided, depending upon the position and configuration of the supporting member [5.

The retaining member 24 has a substantially cylindrical portion open at its opposite ends as indicated at 25 in Figure 4, and suitably formed on its interior to receive the ball member 2'! for universal movement therein. The ball member 2'! is urged away from the portion 23 of the bracket 29 by means of a spring follower ring 28, between which and the face of the flange 23 there is provided a relatively heavy coiled spring member 29 normally holding the ball member 2'! in fixed lateral and longitudinal position within the retaining member 24.

The member 2'! is. provided with a transverse boss 39 within which is pressed the bushing sleeve 32, preferably formed of bronze or suitable bearing material, for receiving the motion transmitting member 9 and forming a bearing member allowing longitudinal and rotative movement of the member 9 within the member 21. Since the member 27 is itself capable of universal movement within the retaining member 24, it is obvious that the member 9 may move angularly within the bracket Without in anywise disturbing its freedom for rotative and longitudinal movement.

The member 9 is preferably hollow in order to reduce its weight and to lend it increased rigidity, and the bearing sleeve 32 and ball member 2! are preferably lubricated by means of a lubricant fitting threading into the tapped opening 33 formed in the retaining member 24. Suitable oil holes may be formed in the ball 2'! for admitting oil to the bushing 32, which preferably is of porous oil absorbing material.

Suitable flexible dust proof enclosing members 34' of generally conical form are secured about the marginal edges defining the openings 26 by means of a suitable spring ring 35, and at their smaller ends are secured to the lateral surface of the member 9 by means of the spring rings 36 engaging in suitable notches in the surface of member 9. These members form bellows-like enclosures for preventing dirt or the like from entering the openings 26, and due to the fact that the rod 9 has longitudinal movement, the members are so formed as to be capable of axial expansion and contraction. To accommodate this movement without building up undue pressures in the closures, the member 9 is provided with radial ports 31 so that the air pressure upon opposite sides of the bearing assembly will be equalized when the rod is moved longitudinally, these ports communicating through the interior of the member 9 with the interiors of the bellows member 34. Y

It will thus be apparent that the rod 9' is resiliently supported against vibration or rattling with respect to the bearing support by means of the spring 29, and that the ball member and bushing sleeve 32 accommodate rotative and longitudinal movement of the member 9 for transmission of shifting movement from the member 5 to the member l3 regardless of possible angularity introduced between the bracket and the member 9 by reason of swinging movement of the yoke member 8 upon actuation of the'shift rod, or twisting or distortion of the frame members, or for other reasons. This is accommodated by the universal support of the ball 21 within the retaining member 24.

At its rear end the member 9 is provided with a chamferred edge to which is suitably welded, as indicated at 40, one yoke 42 of the coupling means 12. The yoke 42 is in the form of a hub portion 43, having diametrically oppositely extending arm portions terminating in suitable coplanar bosses 44 which are apertured to receive the bolts 45. The hub portion 43 of the member 42 is provided with a socket or recess 46 receiving the spherical end 41 of a suitable stud 48 threaded into the end of the member l3.

A second coupling or yoke member 49 has its hub portion welded to the forward end of the member I3, as indicated at 50, and is provided with diametrically oppositely extending arms 52, each terminating in suitable coplanar bosses 53 apertured to receive the bolts 54. A suitable follower member 55 is threaded into the outer end of the hub portion 43 of the member I2 to secure the ball portion 4'! of the stud 48 against axial movement with respect to the member l2 while providing for free universal movement of the member therein.

A resilient spring disc 56, which has a central aperture 57 formed therein extending about and spaced from the hub portion 43 of the member l2, has four outwardly extending ear portions respectively clamped to the bosses 44 and bosses 53 by means of the bolts 45 and 54 carried by the arms of the coupling yoke'members. The yoke members are disposed at right angles, that is, one of the arms of each member is disposed intermediate the arms of the other member, with the bosses 44 and 53 disposed substantially in the same plane.

Longitudinal movement of the member 9 is transmitted directly to the member l3 through the ball and socketlconnecti on 46'-41,since. the ball portion 41 is positively held in position by the member 55 so that no lost motion is effected during longitudinal: movement of the member 9. Rotative movement of the member 9 is transmitted'to the member l3 through the coupling members l2 and 49 connected together by the spring disc 56. .The spring disc 56 allows slight angular displacement of the axes of the members 9, and IS without producing any lost motion in the transmission of rotative movement therebetween. Thus a substantially universal coupling is provided between the members 9 and [3 which insures positive transmission of rotative and longitudinal movement of the member 9 to the member l3, while at the same time, accommodating angular misalignment between these members due to swinging of one end of the member 9 by the shift lever 5.

Thus, it will be seen that the coupling means l2 transfers the preselected shifting movement imparted to the member 9 by the member tothe member [3 without any possible lost motion therebetween, insuring that the member l3 will transfer the predetermined selective shifting movement of the member 5 to the shifter rod mechanism l4. Since the limits of shifting movement are relatively small, it is essential that a coupling, such as provided by disc 56, be employed to prevent any loss of rotative movement therethrough.

I am aware that changes in the construction of the various constituent parts of the present invention may be made without departing in any way from the underlying principles of the present invention, and I therefore do not intend to be limited except as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for supporting a motion transmitting member adapted for rotative and longitudinal movement, comprising a hanger bracket mounted on a fixed support, means carried by said bracket including a ball member having a transverse bearing sleeve extending therethrough and receiving said motion transmitting member, said ball member being mounted for universal movement with respect to said bracket, and. having,

limited lateral movement with respect thereto, and spring means normally urging said ball member away from said bracket.

2. In combination, a remotely disposed change speed selecting mechanism and an intermediate motion transmitting shaft, coupling means for connecting said shaft to said selecting mechanism including a pair of yoke arms, one mounted on said shaft and the other on said selecting mechanism a planar spring disc extending normally therebetween and jointly connecting said yoke arms for effecting conjoint rotation therebetween, and a ball and socket connection between the end of said shaft and said selecting mechanism for effecting conjoint longitudinal movement therebetween independently of angular misalinement.

3. The combination, with a motion transmitting shaft, of supporting means for the intermediate portion-of said shaft comprising a housing and a ball member therein accommodating limited angular and lateral displacement of said rotative and longitudinal movement independ-" ently of its angular position, and spring means holding said ball member resiliently in position in said housing. a

4. Supporting means for the intermediate portion ofa shaft adapted to be rotated and moved longitudinally comprising a fixed bracket, a substantially cylindrical retaining member secured thereto, a ball disposed within said member and having an opening therethrough receiving said shaft,fsaicl shaft having limited universal move ment with said ball as a pivot, flexible closure means between said shaft and each end .of said retaining member, and means for equalizing the pressures within said closure means upon longitudinal movement of the shaft.

5. Supporting means for the intermediate portion of a shaft adapted to be rotated and moved longitudinally comprising a fixed bracket, a substantially cylindrical retaining member secured thereto, a ball disposed within said member and having an opening therethrough receiving said shaft, said ball beingmo-vable transversely in said member, said shaft having limited. universal movement with said ball as a pivot, and spring means resiliently maintaining said ball against transverse displacement in said retaining member.

6. In combination, a motion transmitting shaft, a fixed structural member, means supported on said member including a cylindrical portion through, which said shaft extends, a ball swivelled in said cylindrical portion and having bearing means engaging, about said shaft, said hearing 'means accommodating rotative andlongitudinal movement of said shaft with respect to said ball, means retaining said ball against displacement in said cylindrical portion whereby said shaft has limited universal movement therein, said shaft being hollow, and sealing means secured to the ends of said cylindrical portion and enclosing oppositely extending portions of said shaft, said shaft providing communication be-' tween said sealing means for equalizing pressures therein upon longitudinal movement of the shaft.

7. Means for coupling a pair of shafts disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment and having adjacent ends, comprising a yoke carried by the end of one shaft including oppositely extending I arm portions and having a central socket portion, means carried by the other shaft including a ball portion fitting in said socket portion and held against displacement therefrom, a yoke arm secured to said other shaft and having arm pore tions terminating in the plane of said first-named arm'portions, and a resilient disc apertured to fit around said socket portion and clamped to all said arm portions, whereby said shafts are cou-' pled for rotative movement through said disc and for longitudinal movement through said ball and socket connection. i

8. Means for coupling a pair of shafts disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment and having adjacent ends, comprising a yoke carried by the end of one shaft including oppositely extending arm portions and having a central socket portion, means carried by the other shaft including a ball portion fitting in said socket portion and held against displacement therefrom, a yoke arm secured to said other shaft and having arm portions terminating in the plane of said first named arm portions, and a resilient disc apertured to fit around said socket portion and clamped to all said arm portions, said disc extending normally to said shafts and having the plane thereof passing through the center of said ball and socket .connection, whereby said shafts are coupled for rotative movementthrough said disc and for longitudinal movement through said ball and socket connection.

9. In combination, a stationary bracket, a retaining housing secured thereto and having oppositeiy extending cylindrical ends, a ball member universally supported in said housing and movable transversely therein intermediate said ends, a cylindrical bore in said ball, a hollow shaft extending through said housing and rotatably and slidably supported in the bore'of said 

